Style Icon: Michelle Obama

There is no doubt that First Lady Michelle Obama is a style icon, but what’s even more impressive is how she’s managed to use the admiring attention to further the issues important to her. The First Lady told Oprah Winfrey that she makes her health a priority, often getting up as early as 4 a.m. to squeeze in a morning workout. When the media couldn’t stop talking about her arms, she turned the tables, launching Let’s Move!, a program to combat childhood obesity. She frequently shops her closet, appearing in the same outfit more than once. When she does hit the stores, her selects a mix of pieces from high-end and more affordable designers such as Ann Taylor and JCrew. And while we haven’t yet gotten a peek at how the First Lady has decorated the family residence at the White House, I’m guessing it’s comfortable, colorful and fun. — Amy Azzarito

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Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1964, Michelle’s father was a city water plant employee and a Democratic precinct captain. Her mother was a full-time homemaker until Michelle entered high school. Her brother, Craig, was only 21 months older (he’s now the men’s basketball coach at Oregon State University). She was inspired to follow in her older brother’s footsteps by attending Princeton University, and afterward she attend Harvard Law. Michelle had a thriving career before she became First Lady. Following Harvard Law, she returned to Chicago to work in a law firm, where she met Barack Obama. Michelle was a law associate, and Barack was a summer associate that Michelle had been assigned to mentor. Their first date was to see Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. The couple married in October 1992. Their first daughter, Malia, was born in 1998, and their second daughter, Sasha, was born in 2001.

After having children, Michelle continued to work until it became too difficult to find time for the campaign and family. Her most recent job was for the University of Chicago Hospitals as the vice president for community and external affairs. She is one busy lady. The fact that she’s able to juggle so many responsibilities and remain so composed is certainly inspiring. As First Lady, she’s devoted her attention to health and wellness as well as finding ways to support military families. It will be interesting to see how she spends the next four years and what she’ll do once the couple leaves the White House.

I love that DVF duvet cover!!! She is an amazing woman and seems like a really nice person. I cringe a little at the “style icon” title. She looked beautiful at both inauguration balls and in general dresses nicely. I wish someone would tell her to take the big high waisted belt look and the cropped sweaters out of her wardrobe. Fashionable lady, absolutely. Style icon, nope.

Awesome, I was planning to do a Michelle Obama style post too after all the publicity she got for her amazing Thom Browne jacket on inauguration day! She couldn’t possibly be more fabulous. I love her style, her down to earth attitude, and the way she supports her hubs. Whether you like President Obama or not, you have to admire Michelle’s devotion and chic fashions!

Loved the post and how in general, there is always a way to embrace a style that you like at different (even lower) price points.

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